Conservatives Car Parking Victory
The Conservative Group on Stockport Council have secured a Stockport wide victory on car parking charges. At last night’s Cabinet meeting, it was confirmed that the proposed changes to parking have been amended in time for the budget in February.
The Cabinet had planned to impose new parking charges at free car parks near stations around the Borough – including at Bramley Close, Bramhall, Romiley Station Car Park, Marple and Heald Green – to delete the 1 hour stay band and to introduce a minimum two hour charge of 50p.
Conservative Councillors put in a robust response opposing the Cabinet’s parking proposals, met with officers and the responsible Cabinet Member as well as raising the issue at full Council and scrutiny meetings. Following this consistent campaign, Conservative Councillors have secured key concessions for the benefit of residents, commuters and local business.
Plans to introduce new charges at car parks in Bramhall, Marple, Romiley and Heald Green have been dropped. These car parks will remain free. The proposal to delete the 1 hour parking tariff has been dropped and the new minimum charge of 50p, halted.
The Cabinet also confirmed they will be conducting a full review of district centre parking later in the new financial year. Conservative Councillors have suggested this should include consideration free of charge period of at least 15 minutes for all car parks to support local centres and encourage footfall for local business.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr. Syd Lloyd “We are delighted the Cabinet have listened to the concerns of residents and Councillors and that local Conservatives have secured these concessions. We need a mix of free parking and good quality short stay parking in our districts to support thriving local centres, to encourage footfall, to support hard pressed commuters and to stop the misery caused to local residents who suffer with parking problems and congestion caused by overspill from car parks onto local streets.”
